Starwood filed a lawsuit last April, against Hilton, alleging that two top executives stole confidential and proprietary information used to launch Hilton into the lifestyle-hotel market. The suit specifically claimed that Ross Klein, global head of Hilton Luxury and Lifestyle Brands, and Amar Lalvani, global head of Hilton Luxury and Lifestyle Brand Development, pilfered more than 100,000 electronic files from Starwood when they were recruited to Hilton in June 2008.

The Journal reported Friday that Starwood has now filed an amended complaint in U.S. District Court in White Plains, N.Y., claiming that Hilton's misconduct reached the highest levels of the McLean-based chain's management, including CEO Nassetta, and its head of global development, Steven Goldman. The complaint says that the alleged theft was condoned by at least five of the 10 members of Hilton's executive committee.

Prior to starting ComSec LLC in 2007, Mr. LeaSure was active within the counterespionage, counterterrorism and TSCM fields for 26 years. He has attained the prestigious CCISM, Certified Counterespionage Information Security Management Certification. He also has extensive training, knowledge and experience in the identification of eavesdropping devices, espionage detection methods and the intelligence collection tactics most often employed by perpetrators of electronic espionage.

J.D. LeaSure is also the Director of the Espionage Research Institute International (ERII). As Director, he is tasked with ensuring the organization is successful in its mission to provide continuing education, facilitate professional relationship building and ensure the counterespionage & counterintelligence skill sets of its membership remains current as espionage tactics and devices evolve.